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[Danny]

I was told recently by someone that they thought the price of MOTs was set by the government, which i'm pretty sure is not correct

for the last few years I was paying £50 for my MOT test but recently i'd seen what I thought were special offers of £30 in a couple of places, now its clear that a handful of places local to me do them at £30 regardless

out of curiosity is this the same wherever you live too??

[Kevin Wood]

The maximum price is set, IIRC. £52.50 rings a bell.

Garages are free to charge less if they want. You have to ask if they are using it as a loss leader to get cars in for repair, though.

After all, an MOT takes 45 minutes minimum and requires a trained tester who may not work on anything else during that period. It also requires the use of a 4 post lift, headlight aim tester, emissions tester, brake test dyno, computer, etc.. for the duration.

Given the cost of providing that, £50 is a fair price, IMHO, and to charge less you will be doing it at a loss.

[Andy B]

Possibly the Gov set a max price  :-/ I pay around £50 for my MOTs but at a place that doesn't do repairs. Discount MOTs are usually carried out garages that also repair. But I'm not suggesting that work might be 'found' .....   

[Andy B]

...
 ..
Given the cost of providing that, £50 is a fair price, IMHO, and to charge less you will be doing it at a loss.

I remember paying £6 for my MOTs in the early 80s

[Kevin Wood]

...
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Given the cost of providing that, £50 is a fair price, IMHO, and to charge less you will be doing it at a loss.

I remember paying £6 for my MOTs in the early 80s

It was a lot just to kick the tyres, though.

Having said that, when I take the Westfield he generally runs out of things to test within about 15 minutes. Then charges me £52.50.

[Andy B]

.....
Having said that, when I take the Westfield he generally runs out of things to test within about 15 minutes. Then charges me £52.50.

The thing with new/modern cars is that there are covers over loads of things, sills, under trays, etc that Mr MOT tester isn't allowed to remove so he can test it properly.  :-?

[Jimbob]

mine is always 39.99 at a local place with a 'voucher' (free in local free paper every week)

Always seems a fair test, been going there for ages. They never get my repairs, they know this, dunno if it makes a difference, but they always seem 'fair'  ie people pop in for oil or coolant topup - always seems to be free.

[Radar]

Normally around £45 from a reputable . You get vouchers in the local press offering for £30 but as Andy B states i have seen first hand them 'finding' things wrong with someone elses car and never went back to them.

I just checked the government site and it says the charge is £54.85
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_4022514

[The Red Baron]

cheapest ive come accross here in burton is £35.

[Marks DTM Calib]

If you consider that a typical hourly rate for an independent is 50 an hour which already includes all the overhead of ramps, heating, building space etc.

So 45 mins work means 37.50.

Plus you can use your less capable mechs on MOT's and possibly also get some further work as a result so the business case is pretty strong for lower priced MOT's.

[Andy B]

......
Plus you can use your less capable mechs on MOT's and ...

You mean that not all mechs are the same??? 

[The Red Baron]

If you consider that a typical hourly rate for an independent is 50 an hour which already includes all the overhead of ramps, heating, building space etc.

So 45 mins work means 37.50.

Plus you can use your less capable mechs on MOT's and possibly also get some further work as a result so the business case is pretty strong for lower priced MOT's.[/quote]
correct, the wifes corsa failed on welding, hence they got the job & the extra £145. for doing the job.

[henryd]

£54.85 (classIV) is the price that Vosa recommend but many garages do it for less

[Stallion]

I recently got mine done for £50, then a few days later see a garage doing it for ''£35 no pass no fee''  and mines did sail through the mot..

[TheBoy]

I paid £47 last week iirc.  Yes, air fresheners removed first.